Imaging Stray Magnetic Field of Individual Ferromagnetic Nanotubes.

We use a scanning nanometer-scale superconducting quantum interference device to map the stray magnetic field produced by individual ferromagnetic nanotubes (FNTs) as a function of applied magnetic field. The images are taken as each FNT is led through magnetic reversal and are compared with micromagnetic simulations, which correspond to specific magnetization configurations. In magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the FNT long axis, their magnetization appears to reverse through vortex states, that is, configurations with vortex end domains or in the case of a sufficiently short FNT with a single global vortex. Geometrical imperfections in the samples and the resulting distortion of idealized magnetization configurations influence the measured stray-field patterns.

Electric-Field Switchable Second-Harmonic Generation in Bilayer MoS2 by Inversion Symmetry Breaking.

We demonstrate pronounced electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation in naturally inversion symmetric 2H stacked bilayer MoS2 embedded into microcapacitor devices. By applying strong external electric field perturbations (|F| = ±2.6 MV cm-1) perpendicular to the basal plane of the crystal, we control the inversion symmetry breaking and, hereby, tune the nonlinear conversion efficiency. Strong tunability of the nonlinear response is observed throughout the energy range (Eω ∼ 1.25-1.47 eV) probed by measuring the second-harmonic response at E2ω, spectrally detuned from both the A- and B-exciton resonances. A 60-fold enhancement of the second-order nonlinear signal is obtained for emission at E2ω = 2.49 eV, energetically detuned by ΔE = E2ω - EC = -0.26 eV from the C-resonance (EC = 2.75 eV). The pronounced spectral dependence of the electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation signal reflects the bandstructure and wave function admixture and exhibits particularly strong tunability below the C-resonance, in good agreement with density functional theory calculations. Moreover, we show that the field-induced second-harmonic generation relies on the interlayer coupling in the bilayer. Our findings strongly suggest that the strong tunability of the electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation signal in bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides may find applications in miniaturized electrically switchable nonlinear devices.

Stark Effect Spectroscopy of Mono- and Few-Layer MoS2.

We demonstrate electrical control of the A-exciton interband transition in mono- and few-layer MoS2 crystals embedded into photocapacitor devices via the DC Stark effect. Electric field-dependent low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals a significant tuneability of the A-exciton transition energy up to ∼ 16 meV from which we extract the mean DC exciton polarizability ⟨ß̅N⟩ = (0.58 ± 0.25) × 10(-8) Dm V(-1). The exciton polarizability is shown to be layer-independent, indicating a strong localization of both electron and hole wave functions in each individual layer.

Outdoor Terrestrial Model Ecosystems are suitable to detect pesticide effects on soil fauna: design and method development.

Terrestrial Model Ecosystems (TME) were developed as one higher-tier option to detect and assess effects of pesticides on soil communities in a 1 year study using lindane (gamma-HCH) as a persistent and toxic reference pesticide. TME contained intact soil cores (diameter 300 mm, height 400 mm) including indigenous soil communities of undisturbed grassland. Forty units were placed outdoors between spring 2005 and 2006. The TME experiment was designed to provide data that fulfill the requirements of the revised European regulation on plant protection products (regulation 1107/2009/EEC replacing guideline 91/414/EC) with a focus on structural endpoints such as soil organisms and their community structure in case higher-tier evaluation is triggered. The key objective was to evaluate the dynamics and stability of species-diverse microarthropod communities of undisturbed grassland over at least 1 year after application. In grassland soils, less selection pressure towards insensitive species compared to arable land was presumed. Sufficient numbers of organisms and numerous TME replicates ensured that a statistical evaluation could be performed to estimate the sensitivity of the organisms upon application of lindane applied at high rates of 7.5 and 75 kg ai/ha. The application rates resulted in nominal concentrations of 10 and 100 mg ai/kg dry soil referred to the top 5 cm soil layer of 10 TME each; 20 untreated TME served as controls and were used to study the natural dynamics and the variability of populations under field conditions. Results showed that the grassland from which the soil cores were sampled contained communities of soil organisms marked by typical diversity of improved grassland. Lindane applied at excessive rates caused clear dose-related and long-lasting effects on the communities of microarthropods. On the contrary, lumbricids, the total feeding activity (bait lamina) and the growth of plant biomass were not affected up to 1 year after application. Based on the results of this study using a toxic reference insecticide, the methodology seems to be suitable for use in the regulatory context of the assessment of pesticides once protection goals, data requirements and the conceptual framework are defined.

Approaching soft X-ray wavelengths in nanomagnet-based microwave technology.

Seven decades after the discovery of collective spin excitations in microwave-irradiated ferromagnets, there has been a rebirth of magnonics. However, magnetic nanodevices will enable smart GHz-to-THz devices at low power consumption only, if such spin waves (magnons) are generated and manipulated on the sub-100 nm scale. Here we show how magnons with a wavelength of a few 10 nm are exploited by combining the functionality of insulating yttrium iron garnet and nanodisks from different ferromagnets. We demonstrate magnonic devices at wavelengths of 88 nm written/read by conventional coplanar waveguides. Our microwave-to-magnon transducers are reconfigurable and thereby provide additional functionalities. The results pave the way for a multi-functional GHz technology with unprecedented miniaturization exploiting nanoscale wavelengths that are otherwise relevant for soft X-rays. Nanomagnonics integrated with broadband microwave circuitry offer applications that are wide ranging, from nanoscale microwave components to nonlinear data processing, image reconstruction and wave-based logic.

Das Wachstum des Kohlweißlings bei konstanten und tagesperiodisch wechselnden temperaturen.

1. It was clarified, by means of breeding experiments conducted within a temperature range of 14-34°C, if the growth of Pieris influenced by diurnally fluctuating temperatures depends on a simple additive influence of day-and-night-temperatures or if its growth is accelerated or retarded under these conditions by special physiological adaptations. 2. On the assumption of an additive temperature influence, the expected growth values of fluctuating temperatures can be calculated by the growth values of constant temperatures. In linear relations between developmental speed and temperature the expected values correspond with the values of the mean constant temperature. In sigmoidal relations one may expect that the growth speed in fluctuating temperatures will increase in the lower temperature range and decrease in the upper range. 3. Breeding of Pieris brassicae in diurnally fluctuating temperatures (amplitude 8°C) resulted in good conformity with the growth values expected above. Thus, different day and night temperatures act in a simple additive way. 4. The larvae of the Pieris stock had been eating all the time during the day and night. It is suggested that special adaptations to diurnally fluctuating temperatures might exist in insects with daily behavioural rhythms.

Fate and biological effects of polymeric MDI (4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and homologs) in small artificial ponds.

The effects from a simulated accidental pollution event in a pond with polymeric MDI (4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and homologs) on different trophic levels of the aquatic ecosystem were investigated in small artificial ponds. Three 4.5-m3 volume ponds, interconnected with closable locks, were provided with natural lake sediment and ground water. Caged fish (rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss) were added to each pond, and the interconnecting locks were kept open to establish nearly identical physicochemical and biological conditions. At this stage, the ponds were isolated from one another and MDI was added at a dosage of 1 g/liter on top of the sediment of treated part of the first pond, 10 g/liter to the second pond, and 0 g/liter to the third pond (untreated control). Neither the applied monomer MDI nor its potential reaction product MDA (4,4'-diphenylmethanediamine) was detected in water or accumulated by fish. The MDI polymerized to inert polyurea on the sediment of the test ponds. This polymerization formed carbon dioxide, released as bubbles which floated to the water surface. Some carbon dioxide was solubilized in water and reduced the water pH of about 9 by 2.0 units as an average in the high-dosed pond and 0.7 in the low-dosed pond. This reduction caused some other minor changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the pond water. Neither application rate caused any direct effect on the pelagic community (phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, macrophytes) of the test ponds. Some minor indirect effects caused by the production of carbon dioxide were observed in phyto- and zooplankton community structures. Also, an increase of macrophyte growth was noted. Organisms living in the untreated part of the sediment (macrobenthos) were affected as a result of physical obstructions in this habitat. These populations, however, regained densities equivalent to the control after some weeks, except for Bivalvia which have too long of a generation time for the test period of this study.